The Dundonald Highland Games will go ahead as planned this year – but doubts remain over the event’s long-term future.
Organisers have confirmed that the showpiece will be staged on Saturday, August 6.
However, beyond this year’s big celebration, those in charge “remain concerned” about its “long-term viability.”
Ayrshire Live told back in April how organisers flagged up issues with the ground conditions of the field used to stage the annual event.
Nearby construction work on a new development was said to have taken its toll on the surface.
The work involves the landscaping and resurfacing of the playing fields to accommodate a new football park, a project spearheaded by the Dundonald Community Sports, Recreation and Heritage Association (DCSRHA).
As a result, the Highland Games organisers asked both the DCSRHA and South Ayrshire Council to “urgently rectify” the issues.
Now it seems a “short-term solution” has been agreed in order that this year’s Games, one of Ayrshire’s premier cultural events, can proceed.
But nagging doubts remain over the event’s future going forward.
Elaine McClure, chairperson of the Dundonald Highland Games, said: “Despite the challenges created by the development works, we have managed to agree some short-term solutions that should allow Dundonald Highland Games to proceed this year, albeit in a different form to previous events, and we are working very hard to ensure this happens.
“We remain concerned over the long-term viability of the event due to the development proposal, and we laid out our concerns in the public planning consultation which we hope South Ayrshire Council and all other stakeholders will take on board.”
DCSRHA chairperson Stuart Urquhart previously said the group was “extremely keen” to work in conjunction with the Highland Games committee to “ensure the Games go ahead this year.”
The Games return after a two-year absence and organisers have promised another bumper programme of activities.
A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to announce that after two years Dundonald Highland Games Week and Games Day will go ahead.
“We have our usual fun games activities during the week of July 31 and Games Day will be on Saturday, August 6 from 12noon with a parade down the Main Street.
“Further details on all our events will be published soon. We look forward to seeing you all soon.”
Visit https://dundonald-games.org.uk/games-week/ for the latest updates.
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